Deoxynucleic alkyl and alkoxy thiourea compounds

ABSTRACT

The invention provides novel deoxynucleic alkyl thiourea (dNXt) oligonucleotide compounds for use in antisense or antigene therapy.

This invention was made with Government support under Grant No. DK09171, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in this invention.

This application claims the priority of provisional applications, U.S. Ser. No. 60/091,481, filed Jul. 2, 1998 and U. S. Ser. No. 60/111,800 filed Dec. 11, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to oligonucleotide compounds formed by replacing phosphodiester linkages in nucleic acids and more particularly to the synthesis and use of novel deoxynucleic alkyl thiourea (dNXt) compounds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) as antisense or antigene drugs, to bind to DNA or RNA of disease-causing proteins to prevent their production, has been hampered by features of the DNA and RNA. For example, the negatively charged phosphodiester linkages of double- and triple-stranded DNA and RNA reside side by side, causing considerable charge-charge electrostatic repulsion, particularly at low (physiological) ionic strength. This feature, as well as the susceptibility of DNA and RNA to damage from nuclease activity, limits the usefulness of RNA and DNA as therapeutic agents. (See, Temsamami and Guinot, Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 26:65 (1997); Uhlmann and Peyman, Chem. Rev. 90:543 (1990); Crooke, Anticancer Drug Des. 6:609 (1991); and Crooke, Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 32:329 (1992)).

Among other requirements, successful development of antisense therapeutics presupposes the oligonucleotides a) be stable in vivo, b) have improved permeability and cellular uptake and c) have greater binding affinity with high specificity. (Miller and Ts'o, Anticancer Drug Des. 2:117 (1987); Milligan et al., J. Med. Chem. 36:1923 (1993); and Mesmaeker et al., Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 343 (1995)).

Suggestions have been made to replace the phosphodiester linkages by other linkages that are either neutral or positively charged and resistant toward nuclease degradation in order to provide more effective antigene/antisense agents. (See, Crooke, (1992), supra, Cook, In Antisense Research and Applications, Lebleu (Ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., (1993), p. 149; and Morvan et al., J. Med. Chem. 36:280 (1993)). In addition, modification of oligonucleotides so as to enhance cellular uptake has been considered. (Cook et al., supra).

Antisense oligonucleotides having various backbone modifications have been prepared (see Bennett, Biochemical Pharmacology 55:9 (1998); Alama et al., Pharmacological Research 36:171 (1997); Manoharan, Designer Antisense oligonucleotides: conjugation chemistry and functionality placement, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1993); and Mesmaeker et al., Pure Appl. Chem. 69:437 (1997)).

The replacement of the phosphate linkages in DNA and RNA by achiral guanido groups providing a new class of guanidinium (g) linked nucleosides which are designated as DNG has been reported. (Dempcy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:7864 (1994); Dempcy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92 (1995); Dempcy et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 117:6140 (1995); and Dempcy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:4326 (1996)).

Some examples of backbone-modified oligonucleotides having different electrostatic atttractions include: peptide (PNA-neutral) (Egholm et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114:1895 (1992); and Nielsen and Haaima, Chem. Soc. Rev. 73 (1997)); PHONA (Peyman et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl. 35:2636 (1996)); methyl phosphonate (DNAmp-neutral) (Stein and Cheng, Science 261:1004 (1993); and Tseng and Ts'o, Antisense Res. Dev. 5:251 (1995)); phosphorothioate (DNAs-anionic) (Cook, supra; Morvan et al., supra and Marshall and Caruthers, Science 259:1564 (1993)); phosphoramidate (Gryaznov and Chen, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116:3143 (1994); amido (Mesmaeker et al., Angew, Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 35:2790 (1996); MMI (Sanghvi et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides 16:907 (1997); boronated oligonucleotides (Sood et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111:9234 (1989); Sood et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 223:9000 (1990) and Spielvogel et al., Pure Appl. Chem. 63:415 (1991)); ethylmorpholino and dimnethylamino phosphoramidates (Jung et al., Nucleosides and Nucleotides 13:1597 (1994) and Letsinger et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110:4470 (1988)); aminomethyl phosphonates (Huang et al., Bioconjugate Chem. 5:47 (1994); and guanido (Vasseur et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 114:4006 (1992); Blattler et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120:2674 (1991); James et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides 16:1821 (1997); Jones et al., J. Org Chem. 58:2983 (1993); Mesmaeker et al., Acc. Chem. Res. 28:366 (1995); Rao et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides 13:255 (1997); Stirchak and Summerton, J. Org. Chem. 52:4202 (1987); and Thibon et al., J. Org. Chem. 62:4635 (1997)) (See FIG. 1).

Small positively charged oligonucleotides (DNG) show unprecedented binding to nucleic acids with retention of specificity. (Dempcy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92 (1995), supra and Dempcy et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 117:6140 (1995), supra; and Browne et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:7051-7055 (1995)). The nonionic oligonucleotide DNAmp exhibits the ability to be transported into cells by passive diffusion/fluid phase endocytosis and is more resistant to degradation than DNA. (Cook et al., supra). Both DNAmp and DNAs, however have individual limited drawbacks of stereoisomeric complexity (Huang et al., supra), solubility (DNAmp) and toxicity (DNAs). (Morvan et al., supra, and Agrawal et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides 16:927-936 (1997)). These findings have led recently to the development of mixed backbone oligonucleotides(MBOs) where the phosphorothioates and methyl phosphonates have been alternated in an oligonucleotide backbone to produce improved antisense properties. (Morvan et al., supra, Agrawal et al., supra and Iyer et al., Tetrahedron 52:14419-14436 (1996)).

There remains a need for oligonucleotides that may perform better as antisense or antigene drugs, for example by having stronger affinity for DNA and RNA, as a result of changes in charge characteristics and resistance to nuclease degradation which can form stable constructs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides novel oligonucleotide compounds having thiourea backbones for use as therapeutic antisense and/or antigene agents. Specifically in the compounds of the invention, negatively charged phosphodiester linkages {--O(PO₂ ⁻⁻)O--} in nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) are replaced by a novel alkyl thiourea backbone having alkyl or alkoxy linkages to form novel compounds designated as dNXts. In one embodiment, the phosphodiester linkages are replaced by a methylthiourea {--NHC(═SMe⁺)NH--} backbone to form dNmt. The backbone is positively charged, achiral, stable and can be readily synthesized.

The dNXt compounds have higher affinity for DNA and RNA then, DNA has for RNA, or vice versa. Because of the alkyl group present in these compounds, properties such as hydrophobicity and cellular uptake of these compounds, may be readily modified to form improved compounds for use as therapeutic agents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Structures of backbone-modified oligonucleotides.

FIG. 2. Synthetic scheme for the dNXt compounds of the invention.

FIG. 3. Job Plots of poly(rA) (5.3×10⁻⁵ M), poly(da) (5.3×10⁻⁵ M) and compound 11d in 15 mM K₂ HPO₄, 0.15M KCl, pH 7.5 at 30° C.

FIG. 4. Titration scans of poly(rA) (5.3×10⁻⁵ M) and compound 11d (80% polyrA to 0% polyrA) in 15 mM K₂ HPO₄, 0.15 M KCl, pH 7.5 at 15° C.

FIG. 5. Titration scans of poly(rA) (5.3×10⁻⁵ M) and compound 11d (90% polyrA to 40% polyrA) in 0.15 mM K₂ HPO₄, 0.15 M KCl, pH 7.5 at 15° C., showing the inflection point at 287.4 nm.

FIG. 6a-6d. Hysteresis curve of 11d and poly (rA) in 8.5 mM K₂ HPO₄, 8.5 mM Na₂ HPO₄ KCl, pH 6.85 at different ionic strengths (μ=0.06-0.3); (d) Hysteresis curve of compound 11d and dA-20 in 8.5 mM K₂ HPO₄, mM Na₂ HPO₄ KCl, pH 6.85 at an ionic strength of 0.03 (KCl). Data were recorded every 0.4 deg. The samples were heated from 25 to 95° C. at 5 deg/min, the annealing (95-5° C.) and the melting (5-95° C.) were conducted at 0.13 deg/min, and the reaction solutions were equilibrated for 15 minutes at the highest and lowest temperatures.

FIG. 7a. Plots of A₂₆₀ vs T (° C.) for compound 11d annealed to poly (dA) (+) at μ=0.03 (KCl), poly (dA) (⋄) at μ=0.3(KCl), poly(dG) (□), poly(dC) (X), and poly(dT) (O) in 8.5 mM K₂ HPO₄, 8.5 mM Na₂ HPO₄ pH 6.85 and an ionic strength of 0.15 (KCl). The concentration of each of the oligonucleotides was 2.17×10⁻⁵ M in bases. The ratio of compound 11d to polynucleotides was 2:1.

FIG. 7b. Plots of A₂₆₀ vs. T (° C.) for compound 11d annealed to poly(rA) (open square) at μ=0.05 (KCl), poly (rA) (O) at μ=0.12 (KCl), poly(rC) (+), poly(rG) (X) in 8.5 mM K₂ HPO₄ and 8.5 mM Na₂ HPO pH (6.85) and an ionic strength of 0.15 (KCl). The concentration of each of the oligonucleotides was 2.17×10⁻⁵ M in bases. The ratio of compound 11d to polynucleotides was 2:1.

FIG. 8. Plot of Tm of 11d₂ :polyrA/polydA triplexes as a function of ionic strength in 8.5 mM K₂ HPO₄, 8.5 mM Na₂ HPO₄ pH 6.85. The concentration of each of the oligonucleotides was 2.17×10⁻⁵ M in bases. The ratio of compound 11d to polynucleotides was 2:1.

FIG. 9. Plot of Tm per base pair vs.: μ in 8.5 mM K₂ HPO₄, 8.5 mM Na₂ HPO₄ pH 6.85. The plots are DNA. RNA duplex (▪), DNG.RNA duplex (x) and DNG.DNA (+), DNmt.RNA () and DNmt.DNA [first (O) and second transitions (□)]. The concentration of each of the oligonucleotides was 2.17×10⁻⁵ M in bases. The ratio of compound 11d to polynucleotides was 2:1. Ionic strengths were held constant by adding potassium chloride. The data points at 100° C. for melting of DNG and DNmt complexes are approximations. The melting points for DNG.RNA complexes would be much higher than that for DNmt.RNA complexes.

FIG. 10a and 10b. (FIG. 10a) Job Plot of poly(rA) (5.3×10⁻⁵ M) and 11d in 15 mM K₂ HPO₄, 15 M KCl, pH 7.5 at 60° C., carried out at 284, 260 and 202 nm; (FIG. 10b) Job Plot of poly(rA) (5.3×10⁻⁵ M) and 11d in 15 mM K₂ HPO₄, 0.15 M KCL, pH 7.5 at 15° C., carried out at 284, 260 and 202 nm.

FIG. 11. Synthesis of compound 6, dimeric thymidyl methylthiourea.

FIG. 12. synthesis of polymeric dNmt (compounds 9a-9d, 10a-10 d and 11b-11d).

FIG. 13. Annealing process in the formation of hybrid structures as described in Example V, infra.

FIG. 14(a-b). Structure of the dNXt compounds of the invention (FIG. 14a are positively charged deoxynucleic alkyl or alkoxy thiourea compounds; FIG. 14b are neutral deoxynucleic thiourea compounds.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel oligonucleotides designated as dNXt compounds, obtained from modifications of nucleic acid having the negatively charged phosphodiester linkages {--O(PO₂ ⁻⁻)O--} replaced with an alkyl or alkoxy thiourea backbone. In one embodiment, the new backbone is a polycationic deoxyribonucleic methylthioruea abbreviated as dNmt {--NHC(=SMe⁺)NH--}.

Preparation of the New Compounds of the Invention

The deoxynucleic alkyl or alkoxy thiourea compounds of the invention are prepared as shown in FIG. 2. Briefly, 5'-amino-5'-deoxy-B (where B=thymidine (T); adenosine (A); guanine (G); cytosine (C); or uracil (U), are prepared by starting with 5'-azido-5'-deoxy-B (1). To a solution of compound 1 in pyridine is added (dimethylamino) pyridine (DMAP) followed by triphenylmethyl chloride (TrCl). The resulting solution is stirred at 100° C., until the reaction is completed. The solvent is rotovaporated, the concentrate chromatographed, and the protected compound is isolated. The protected compound is hydrogenated to provide 5'-amino-3'-O-trityl-5'-deoxy-B (2). Post-hydrogenation, 5'-amino-3'-O-trityl-5'-deoxy-B is deprotected to provide 5'-amino-5'-deoxy-B (3).

3'-isothiocyanate-5'-O-MmTr-3'-deoxy-B (6) is prepared from protection of 5'-amino-3'-azido-3', 5'-dideoxy-B (4) with monomethoxytrityl chloride (MmTrCl) followed by hydrogenation of the azido group. The reaction of the resulting 3'-amino-5'-N-Mmtrityl-3', 5'-deoxy-B (5) with excess thiopyridone at room temperature followed by flash chromatography, provides 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-O-MmTr-3'-deoxy-B.

The coupling reaction of compounds 3 and 6 is conducted as follows: to a solution of 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-O-MmTr-3'-deoxy-B (6) in anhydrous pyridine is added 5'-amino-5'deoxy-B (3) followed by DMAP. The resulting solution is stirred at room temperature. After workup, the product is isolated, deprotected, and the coupling step is reiterated until a length of desired sequence is obtained. At this point, the polymeric compound (8) can be converted by alkylation of the thiourea linkages via reaction of 8 with excess alkyl or alkoxy halide. Deprotection of alkylated polymers with acetic acid, is followed by purification and isolation to yield deoxynucleic alkyl/alkoxy thiourea compounds (9) of the invention. The sample may be further purified by HPLC. Alternatively, compound 8 can be subjected to deprotection with acetic acid, followed by purification and isolation to yield deoxynucleic thiourea compounds (10).

Uses of the Compounds of the Invention

The dNXt compounds of the invention can be used as intact oligomers or can be incorporated with other nucleotide linkages as mixed backbone oligonucleotides to inhibit production of proteins associated with genetic diseases. Procedures for using antisense compounds as therapeutic agents are known. In particular, the dNXt compounds can be used for antiviral therapy, for example to treat human immunodeficiency virus, human-cytomegalovirus, influenza, herpes and human pappilovirus infections. The compounds may also be used as chemotherapeutic agents to control cancer-cell growth by specific targeting of cancer-specific genes. Other uses include use as therapeutic antisense agents to treat cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurocellular diseases. The stable backbone of the chimera dNXt compounds permits their use as artificial ribozymes in combination with RNA.

The dNXt compounds of the invention can be used as antisense agent in antisense therapy. As used herein, "antisense" therapy refers to administration or in situ generation of nucleotide (e.g. dNXt) probes or their derivatives which specifically hybridize (e.g. binds) under cellular conditions, with a target cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA so as to inhibit expression of the corresponding target protein, e.g. by inhibiting transcription and/or translation. The binding may be by conventional base pair complementarity, or, for example, in the case of binding to DNA duplexes, through specific interactions in the major groove of the double helix. In general, antisense therapy refers to the range of techniques generally employed in the art, and includes any therapy which relies on specific binding to oligonucleotide (e.g., dNXt) sequences.

A dNXt construct of the present invention can be delivered, for example, as an expression plasmid which, when transcribed in the cell, produces RNA which is complementary to at least a unique portion of the cellular MRNA which encodes a target protein. Alternatively, the dNXt construct can be a nucleotide probe which is generated ex vivo and which, when introduced into the cell causes inhibition of expression by hybridizing with the MRNA and/or genomic sequences of a target gene. Such probes are preferably modified so they are resistant to endogenous nucleases, e.g. exonucleases and/or endonucleases, and is therefore stable in vivo.

Accordingly, the dNXt constructs of the invention are useful in therapeutic, diagnostic, and research contexts. In therapeutic applications, the oligomers are utilized in a manner appropriate for antisense therapy in general. For such therapy, the dNXt constructs of the invention can be formulated for a variety of loads of administration, including systemic, topical or localized administration. Techniques and formulations generally may be found in Remmington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Meade Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. For systemic administration, injection can be effected, including intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous for injection, the dNXt constructs of the invention can be formulated in liquid solutions, preferably in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution or Ringer's solution. In addition, the dNXT constructs may be formulated in solid form and redissolved or suspended immediately prior to use. Lyophilized forms are also included.

Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means, or the compounds can be administered orally. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration bile salts and fusidic acid derivatives. Transmucosal administration may be through nasal sprays or using suppositories. For oral administration, the dNXt constructs can be formulated into conventional oral administration forms such as capsules, tablets, and tonics. For topical administration, the oligomers of the invention can be formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.

In addition to use in therapy, the dNXt compounds of the invention may be used as diagnostic reagents to detect the presence or absence of the target DNA or RNA sequences to which they specifically bind.

Likewise, the dNXt constructs of the present invention, by antagonizing the normal biological activity of a target protein, can be used in the manipulation of tissue, e.g. tissue differentiation, both in vivo and in ex vivo tissue cultures.

The following Examples are presented to demonstrate the methods and compounds of the present invention and to assist one of ordinary skill in making and using the same. The Examples are not intended in any way to otherwise limit the scope of the disclosure of the protection granted by Letters Patent granted hereon.

EXAMPLE 1

This Example describes the synthesis of thymidyl methylthioureas (T-DNmts)

Reagents

The concentrations of nucleotide solutions were determined using the extinction coefficients (per mol of nucleotide) calculated according to the nearest neighboring effects. (Blasko et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1996, 118:7892) For d(Tmt)₅ ε₂₆₈ =8700 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ was used. All experiments were conducted in either a) 0.015 M phosphate buffer, pH 7-7.5 or b) 0.008 M phosphate buffer at pH 6.85 and the ionic strength, μ, was adjusted with KCl and are presented with the corresponding concentration of KCl. The concentrations of nucleosides, expressed in M/base, were 2.1×10⁻⁵ -6.3×10⁻⁵ M and the ionic strength μ=0.06-0.6. The concentration is referred to the limiting component forming the triplex (e.g., a concentration of 2.1×10⁻⁵ M/base in the reaction of A+2T means [A]=2.1×10⁻⁵ M/base and [T]=4.2×10⁻⁵ M/base). All stock solutions were kept at 4° C. between experiments.

Sample Preparation

Five magnetically stirred screw-cap cuvettes of 1-cm path length were used for data collection: four with samples to be measured and one for the temperature monitoring. The measurement chamber was purged continuously with dry nitrogen to prevent condensation of water vapor at lower temperatures. Annealing and melting were followed spectrophotometrically at the given wavelength.

UV Spectroscopy and Data Collection. A Cary 1E UV/vis spectrophotometer equipped with temperature programming and regulation and a thermal melting software package were used for data collection at λ=260 nm. Spectrophotometer stability and λ alignment were checked prior to initiation of each melting point experiment. For the T_(m) determinations hypochromicity was used. Data were recorded every 1.0 deg. The samples were heated from 25-95° C. at 5 deg/min (Scheme 1), the annealing (95-10° C.) and the melting (10-95° C.) were conducted at 0.13 deg/min and the samples were brought back to 25° C. at a rate of 5 deg/min. The reaction solutions were equilibrated for 15 min at the highest and lowest temperatures. (Blasko et al., Biochem. 36:7821-7831 (1997)). ##STR1## Synthesis

All reactions were performed under a positive atmosphere of dry nitrogen. ¹ H NMR spectra were obtained at 400 MHz unless indicated otherwise and ¹³ C NMR spectra at 125 MHz; chemical shifts (δ) are relative to internal TMS, coupling constants (J) are in Hertz. Splitting patterns are designated singlet (s), doublet (d), triplet (t), quartet (q), multiplet (m), or broad (b). IR spectra were taken in KBr pellet using Perkin Elmer 1300 spectrophotometer. TLC was carried out on silica gel (kieselgel 60 F₂₅₄), 0.25 mm coated commercial silica plates and visualized by UV-light or p-anisaldehyde in ethanol/sulfuric acid. Flash column chromatography employed E. Merck silica gel (kieselgel 60, 200-400 mesh) as the stationary phase. Individual mobile phase systems are described in the experimental section. TtT refers to thymidyl dinucleotide with a thiourea linkage, TmtT refers to a thymidyl dinucleotide with a methylated thiourea linkage.

FIG. 11 refers to the synthesis of compound 6, dimeric thymidyl methylthiourea, described below.

Synthesis of 5'-azido-3'-O-trityl-5'-deoxythymidine (Compound 2)

To a solution of 4 g (14.96 mmole) of 5'-azido-deoxythymidine (1) in 100 ml of Pyridine was added 50 mg (0.4098 mmole) of dimethylaminopyridine followed by 10 g (0.035 mole) of triphenylmethylchloride. The resulting solution was stirred at 100° C. for 48 hr. TLC analysis in EtOAc shows complete disappearance of the starting material (R_(f) =0.1). The product has a R_(f) value of 0.4. The solvent was rotovaporated and the resulting concentrate chromatographed in EtOAC: Hexanes (1:1) followed by elution with 100% EtOAc to give 7 g of the product (91.9%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (CDCl₃): δ6 8.651 (1H, s, NH), 7.90-7.25 (15H, m, trityl-H), 7.173 91H, d, J=1.2 Hz, 6-H), 6.33 (1H, q, J=5.6 Hz, 3.6 Hz, 1'-H), 4.226 (1H, h, J=5.6 Hz, 3.6 Hz, 3.2 Hz, 3'-H), 3.910 (1H, q, J=3.2 Hz, 2.8 Hz, 4'-H), 3.329 (1H, dd, J=9.6 Hz, 2.8 Hz, 5'-H), 2.740 (1H, dd, J=9.6 Hz, 3.2 Hz, 5'-H), 1.990 (1H, m, 2'-H), 1.860 (3H, d, J=1.2 Hz, Me), 1.699 (2H, m, 2'-H). δ¹³ C (CDCl3-125 MHz): 163.209, 150.055, 146.777, 134.474, 128. 885, 128.048, 127. 479, 111.245, 87.933, 84.549, 52.134, 39.079, 12.520. IR (KBr pellet): 3051 (Aromatic C-H), 2928 (Aliphatic C-H), 2099 (N═N═N), 1686 (C═O), 1481, 1442, 1274, 1029. m/z: FAB-510 (M+H)⁺, Analysis: Calculated (C-71.4%, H-6.0%), Found (C-71.56%, H-6.05%).

Synthesis of 5'-amino-3'-O-trityl-5'-deoxythymidine (Compound 3)

To a solution of 1.5 g (2.94 mmole) of 5'-azido-3'-O-trityl-5'-deoxythymidine (2) in 100 ml of ethanol was added 50 mg of palladium on carbon catalyst (10%). The resulting solution was hydrogenated at 45 psi for 1 hr. TLC analysis in EtOAc shows complete disappearance of the starting material (R_(f) =0.4). The product has a R_(f) value of 0.1. The solution was filtered over Celite and the solvent evaporated under pressure. Chromatography in 15% MeOH: 85% EtOAc gave 1.1 g of the pure product (77.4%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (d₆ -DMSO): (7.646 (1H, d, J=1.2 Hz, NH), 7.446-7.264 (15H, m, trityl-H), 6.121 (1H, q, J=5.2 Hz, 4.0 Hz, 1'-H), 4.20 (1H, d, J=5.6 Hz, 2'-H), 3.782 (1H, p, J=5.2 Hz, 3.2 Hz, 4'-H), 3.347 (2H, br, NH₂), 2.455 (1H, dd, J=4.8 Hz, 5.2 Hz, 5'-H), 2.359 (1H, dd, J=4.8 Hz, 5.2 Hz, 5'-H), 1.719 (3H, d, J=1.2 Hz, Me), 1.410 (1H, d, J=5.6 Hz, 2'-H), 1.380 (1H, d, J=6 Hz, 2'-H). δ¹³ C (d₆ -DMSO -125 MHz): 163.573, 150.419, 144.198, 136.111, 128.510, 128.047, 127.266, 109.620, 87.058, 86.527, 83.561, 74.882, 43.179, 37.520, 12.083. IR (KBr pellet): 3388, 3310 (N--H), 3054 (Aromatic C--H), 2948, 2917 (Aliphatic C--H), 1655 (C═O), 1447, 1273, 1023. m/z: 484 (M+H)⁺, HRMS (FAB): 484.22312, Calculated for C₂₉ H₃₀ N₃ O₄ : 484.22363.

Synthesis of 3'-isothioevanate-5'-O-tritvl -3'-deoxvthvmidine (Compound 4)

To a solution of 300 mg (0.6192 mmole) of 3'-amino-5'-O-trityl-deoxythymidine in 20 ml of dichloromethane was added 150 mg (0.64 mmole) of thiocarbonylpyridone and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 6 hr. TLC analysis in 80% EtOAc: 20% Hexanes shows complete disappearance of the amine (R_(f) =0.1). The product has a R_(f) value of 0.8 and pyridone of 0.45. The solvent was rotovaporated and the product chromatographed in EtOAC: Hexanes (1:1) to give 290 mg of the product (88%). ¹ H NMR-200 MHz (CDCl₃): δ9.636 (1H, s, NH), 7.493 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.493-7.279 (15H, m, trityl-H), 6.2899 (1H, t, J=6.18 Hz, 1'-H), 4.606 (1H, q, J=7.32 Hz, 1.82 Hz, 3'-H), 4.139 (1H, q, J=7.32 Hz, 5.12 Hz, 4'-H), 3.60 (1H, dd, J=8.18 Hz, 5.12 Hz, 5'-H), 2.858 (2H, m, 2'-H), 1.5612 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (d₆ -DMSO+CDCl₃ -75 MHz): 149.794, 146.854, 142.249, 134.811, 127.558, 127.185, 126.628, 125.812, 109.767, 84.4025, 83.395, 80.2512, 54.410, 11.657. IR (KBr pellet): 3190, 3050 (Aromatic C--H), 2083, 2047 (N═C═S), 1689 (C═O), 1458, 1273, 1099, 1063. m/z: 526.2 (M+H)⁺, Analysis: Calculated (C-68.6%, H-5.2%), Found (C-68.5%, H-5.3%).

Synthesis of 5'-O-trityl-TtT-3'-O-trityl (Compound 5)

To a solution of 250 mg (0.474 mmole) of 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-O-trityl-3'-deoxythymidine (4) in 20 ml of anhydrous acetonitrile was added 240 mg (0.496 mmole) of 5'-amino-3'-O-trityl-5'-deoxythymidine (3) followed by 5 mg of dimethylarninopyridine and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature. A white precipitate begins to appear after 20 minutes. The reaction is stirred for 2 hr. and the solution then cooled to 0° C. for 30 minutes. The white precipitate is then collected by filtration, washed with cold ether and dried to give 460 mg (96.2%) of analytically pure product. TLC analysis in EtOAc shows complete disappearance of the amine (R_(f) =0.1). The product has a R_(f) value of 0.4 and the isothiocyanate has a R_(f) value of 0.85. ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (CDCl₃): δ10.135 (1H, s, NH), 10.229 (1H, s, NH), 10.135 (1H, s, NH), 9.990 (1H, s, NH), 7.606 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.450-7.233 (30H, m, trityl-H), 6.932 (1H, s, 6-H), 6.537 (1H, t, J=6.8 Hz, 1'-H), 5.989 (1H, t, J=6.8 Hz, 1'-H), 5.237 (1H, b, 3'-H), 4.287 (1H, b, 3'-H), 4.146 (1H, m, 4'-H), 3.790 (1H, m, 4'-H), 3.65 (2H, d, J=9.2 Hz, 2'-H), 3.345 (2H, d, J=9.2 Hz, 5'-H), 2.489-2.334 (4H, m, 2'-H), 1.804 (3H, s, Me), 1.392 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (CDCl₃ -125 MHz): 173.526, 164.332, 164.036, 151.064, 150.926, 150.608, 146.785, 143.758, 143.364, 128.639, 128.101, 127.941, 127.828, 127.433, 127.213, 127.152, 111.745, 111.199, 87.910, 87.910, 87.478, 85.680, 84.360, 84.360, 75.097, 64.803, 55.556, 36.750, 12.240, 11.640. IR (KBr pellet): 3395,3451 (N--H), 3361, 3317 (N--H), 3050 (Aromatic C--H), 1692 (C═O), 1535, 1447, 1267, 1053. m/z: 1009.18 (M+H)⁺. Analysis:Calculated (C-70.2%, H-5.6%), Found (C-70.3%, H-5.55%).

Synthesis of 5'--OH--TmTT--3'--OH (Compound 6)

To a solution of 30 mg (0.029 mmole) of 5'-O-trityl-TtT-3'-O-trityl (5) in 20 ml of ethanol was added 10 ml of methyl iodide and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 2 hr. followed by heating to 35° C. for 20 minutes. TLC analysis in EtOAc shows complete disappearance of the starting material (R_(f) =0.6). The product has a R_(f) value of 0.5. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and the residue washed with hexanes and dried to give 29 mg of a 5'-O-trityl-TmtT-3'-O-trityl as a yellowish solid (97.6%). m/z: 1024 (M+H)⁺, HRMS (FAB): 1023.4103.

To a solution of 20 mg (0.0195 mmole) of 5'-O-trityl-Tmt-T-3'-O-trityl in 10 ml of dichloromethane was added 10 ml of trifluoroacetic acid. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 1 hr. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 100 ml of diethyl ether. The white precipitate obtained was filtered off and washed with ether and dichloromethane to give 9 mg of dry product (85.7%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (d₆ -DMSO): δ11.56 (2H, NH), 9.677 (1H, br, NH), 9.33 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz), 9.210 (1H, br, NH), 7.914 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.688 (1H, s, 6-H), 6.452 (1H, t, J=6.8 Hz, 1-H), 6.336 (1H, t, J=6.8 Hz, 1'-H), 5.661 (2H, br, OH), 4.681 (1H, br, 3'-H), 4.494 (1H, m, 3'-H), 4.292-4.054 (2H, m, 4'-H), 3.989-3.60 (4H, m, 5'-H), 2.904 (3H, s, Me), 2.715 (2H, m, 2'-H), 2.34 (2H, m, 2'-H), 2.00 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (d₆ -DMSO-125 MHz): 168.101, 163.618, 163.375, 150.319, 150.266, 136.649, 136.140, 109.816, 109.490, 83.810, 83.408, 82.915, 70.398, 60.134, 54.717, 53.837, 46.752, 44.855, 37.640, 36.525, 14.844, 14.184. IR (KBr pellet): 3465 (O--H), 3385, 3451 (N--H), 3044 (Aromatic C--H), 2959 (Aliphatic C--H), 1682 (C═O), 1545, 1457, 1267, 1063. m/z: 539 (M═H)⁺, HRMS (FAB): 539.1933, Calculated for C₂₂ H₃₁ N₆ O₈ S: 539.19240.

Results

Initial studies were focused on attempts to synthesize dimeric thymidyl methyl urea (compound 6) (FIG. 11). Coupling conditions for the formation of thiourea linkage were optimized using compounds 3 and 4. The isothiocyanate 4 was easily synthesized by reaction of the corresponding 3'-amino-5'-O-trityl-dideoxythymidine with thiopyridone at room temperature. Compound 3 on the other hand was synthesized in a two-step process from 5'-azido thymidine. Protection of the 3'-hydroxyl with triphenylmethyl chloride in pyridine followed by reduction of the azide gave compound 3 in excellent yields. Protection of 3'-hydroxyl with base labile groups (phenoxyacetyl) led mostly to the rearrangement involving nucleophilic attack by the 5'-amine.

The reaction of compounds 3 with 4 was followed under varying temperatures and solvents to optimize coupling reaction conditions. Heating the isothiocyanates to speed up the reaction led to slight decomposition of the isothiocyanate (reaction with traces of moisture). The reaction proceeds to completion at room temperature in a few hours with pyridine and acetonitrile as the solvents of choice. Thiourea 5 was methylated with excess methyl iodide and the product detritylated with TFA to give DNmt dimer 6. Compound 6 was found to be analytically pure by BPLC, NMR and MS. The 1H-NMR (1D and 2D) spectra of compound 6 showed the resolution of similar protons in the two sugar rings. The methyl peak of the thiourea is considerably deshielded and appears at 3 ppm. While the assignments can be easily made in a dimer, longer sequences show much greater overlap and the compounds were then characterized by a combination of NMR, MS, IR, elemental analysis and in case of methylated thioureas-cation exchange HPLC, MS and UV.

EXAMPLE II

Synthesis of T₅ -mt (Compound 11d)

FIG. 12 illustrates the synthesis of polymeric dNmt (compounds 9a-9d; 10a-10d and 11b-11d), described below.

Synthesis of 5'-N-MmTr-TtT-3'-OH (Compound 9a)

To a solution of 100 mg (0.180 mmole) of 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-N-MmTr-3', 5'-dideoxythymidine (7) in 10 ml of anhydrous pyridine was added 100 mg (0.414 mmole) of 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine (8) followed by 5 mg of dimethylarninopyridine and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 2 hr. Pyridine is evaporated under pressure and 20 ml of water is added to the residue to precipitate the product. The product is extracted into 2×30 ml of chloroform, washed successively with water to remove the excess amine. The organic extracts are dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to give 130 mg of a dry product (90.9%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (d₆ -DMSO): δ10.596 (1H, s, NH), 10.550 (1H, s, NH), 7.735 (2H, NH), 7.120 (4H, d J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 7.01 (2H, d, J=9.2 Hz, trityl-H), 6.89 (4H, t, J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 6.819 (2H, m, trityl-H), 6.437 (2H, d, J=9.2 Hz, trityl-H), 5.88 (2H, m, 1'-H), 4.734 (2H, d, J=4.4 Hz), 3.897 (1H, m), 3.560 (2H, m), 3.407 (3H, s, OMe), 2.89 (1H, s), 2.22 (3H, m), 1.911 (3H, m), 669 (1H, s), 1.528 (3H, s, Me), 1.416 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (CDCl₃ -125 MHz): 171.136, 164.460, 157.762, 150.988, 149.577, 145.913, 140.549, 137.758, 136.043, 129.754, 128.480, 127.744,126.242, 123.731, 113.065, 111.510, 84.716, 77.206, 70.144, 55.101, 45.732, 38.115, 20.986, 12.452. IR (KBr pellet): 3467 (O--H), 3285, 3248 (N--H), 3070 (Aromatic C--H), 2950 (Aliphatic C--H), 2328, 1683 (C═O), 1545, 1457, 1267, 1063. m/z: FAB 796 (M+H)⁺. Analysis: Calculated (C-61.9%, H-5.7%), Found (C-62%, H-5.68%).

Synthesis of 5'-N-MmTr-TtTtT-3'-OH (Compound 9b)

To a solution of 95 mg (0.171 mmole) of 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-N-MmTr-3', 5'-dideoxythymidine in 10 ml of anhydrous pyridine was added 100 mg (0.170 mmole) of 5'-NH₃ ⁺ -TtT-3'-OH (Compound 10a) followed by 8 mg of dinethylaminopyridine and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 7 hr. Pyridine is evaporated under pressure and 15 ml of chloroform is added to the residue to precipitate the product and remove any unreacted isothiocyanate. TLC analysis in EtOAc:MeOH (8:2) shows complete disappearance of the amine (R_(f) =0.2) The product has a R_(f) value of 0.4. The white product obtained is filtered, washed with 20 ml of water and dried to give 162 mg of a crystalline product (89.0%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz. (d₆ -DMSO): δ11.34 (3H, br, NH), 7.983 (2H, br, NH), 7.645 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.535 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.390 (4H, d, J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 7.270 (4H, m, trityl-H), 7.16 (2H, t, J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 6.810 (2H, d, J=5.2 Hz, trityl-H), 6.177 (2H, t, J=6.8 H 0 MHz (d6-DMSO): (11.34 (3H, br, NH), 7.983 (2H, br, NH), 7.645 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.535 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.390 (4H, d, J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 7.270 (4H, m, trityl-H), 7.16 (2H, t, J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 6.810 (2H, d, J=5.2 Hz, trityl-H), 6.177 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz, 1'-H), 6.122 (2H, t, J=6 Hz, 1'-H), 5.350 (1H, d, J=4 Hz), 4.714 (1H, br, OH), 4.191 (3H, m), 3.945 (2H, br), 3.854 (3H, m), 3.707 (3H, s, OMe), 3.563 (3H, m), 2.974 (2H, s), 2.355 (3H, m), 2.146 (3H, m), 1.806 (3H, s, Me), 1.793 (3H, s, Me), 1.706 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (d₆ -DMSO-125 MHz): 163.708, 163.677, 157.404, 150.485, 150.439, 150.409, 146.214, 137.755, 135.821, 129.608, 128.272, 127.703, 126.088, 113.032, 109.898, 109.527, 84.386, 83.386, 83.817, 83.05, 71.246, 69.706, 54.966, 38.742, 38.299, 44.808, 38.266, 12.430, 12.256, 12.134. m/z : FAB 1079 (M+H)⁺, Analysis: Calculated (C-57.9%, H-5.5%), Found (C-57.67%, H-5.46%).

Synthesis of 5'-N-MmTr-TtTtTtT-3'-OH (Compound 9c)

To a solution of 120 mg (0.111 mmole) of 5'-N-MmTr-TtT-3'-OH (Compound 9b) in 15 ml of chloroform was added 15 ml of acetic acid. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hr. TLC analysis in BuO H:CH₃ COOH:H₂ O (5:2:3) shows complete disappearance of the starting material (R_(f) =0.5) The product has a R_(f) value of 0.4. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 100 ml of diethyl ether. The white precipitate obtained was centrifuged and washed with diethyl ether and dichloromethane to give 95 mg of dry product (compound 10b-98.8%). m/z: FAB 806.88 (M+H)A⁺.

To a solution of 110 mg (0.1983 mmole) of 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-N-MmTr-3', 5'-dideoxythymidine in 10 ml of anhydrous pyridine was added 95 mg (0.109 mmole) of 5'-NH₃ ⁺ -TtTtT-3'-OH (compound 10b) followed by 20 mg of dimethylaminopyridine and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 8 hr. Pyridine is evaporated under pressure and the residue washed with 2×20 ml of chloroform to precipitate the product and remove any unreacted isothiocyanate. TLC analysis in BuOH:CH₃ COOH:H₂ O (5:2:3) shows complete disappearance of the amine (R_(f) ×0.3) The product has a Rf value of 0.6. The white product obtained is filtered, washed with 2×10 ml of water and dried to give 134 mg of product (89.9%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (d₆ -DMSO): δ11.428 (4H, br, NH). 8.210 (2H, d, J=6.4 Hz, trityl-H), 8.095 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.745 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.635 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.573 (IH, s, 6-H), 7.490 (4H, d, J=7.6 Hz, trityl-H), 7.360 (4H, dd, J=7.6 Hz, J=6.8 Hz, trityl-H), 6.920 (2H, d, J=8.8 Hz, trityl-H), 6.730 (2H,d, J=6.4 Hz, trityl-H), 6.276 (3H, t, J=6.4 Hz, 1'-H), 6.224 (1H, t, J=6.4 Hz, 1'-H), 5.446 (2H, br), 4.819 (1H, br, OH), 4.2-4.0 (4H, m), 3.809 (3H, s, OMe), 3.604 (4H, m), 2.65-2.45 (8H, m), 2.310-2.416 (4H, m), 1.914 (6H, d, J=1.2, Hz, Me), 1.893 (3H, s, Me), 1.86 (3H, d, J=1.2 Hz, Me), 1.808 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (d₆ -DMSO-125 MHz): 182.474, 163.660, 157.299, 150.399, 150.362, 147.941, 146.174, 137.692, 136.023, 135.849, 129.552, 128.217, 127.648, 126.032, 112.976, 109.889, 109.836, 109.472, 106.687, 84.346, 83.785, 83.504, 82.996, 82.260, 71.199, 69.644, 54.904, 46.673, 44.806, 38.669, 38.517, 38.244, 36.226, 12.00 (4 Me). m/z: FAB 1361 (M+H)⁺.

5'-N-MmTr-TtTtTtTtT-3'-OH (Compound 9d)

To a solution of 120 mg (0.088 mmole) of 5'-N-MmTr-TtTtTtT-3'-OH (Compound 9c) in 20 ml of chloroform was added 10 ml of acetic acid. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hr. TLC analysis in BuOH:CH₃ COOH:H₂ O (5:2:3) shows complete disappearance of the starting material (R_(f) =0.6) The product has a R_(f) value of 0.35. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 100 ml of diethyl ether. The white precipitate obtained was centrifuged and washed with diethyl ether (2×15 ml) and dichloromethane (2×15 ml) to give 100.5 mg of dry product (10c-99.5%). m/z: 1089.20 (M+H)⁺.

To a solution of 105 mg (0.189 mmole) of 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-N-MmTr-3', 5'-dideoxythymidine (Compound 7) in 10 ml of anhydrous pyridine was added 95 mg (0.0827 mmole) of 5'-NH₃ ⁺ -TtTtTtT-3'-OH (10c) followed by 25 mg of dimethylaminopyridine and the resulting solution stirred at room temperature for 6 hr. Pyridine is evaporated under pressure and the residue washed with 2×20 ml of chloroform to precipitate the product and remove any unreacted isothiocyanate. TLC analysis in BuOH:CH₃ COOH:H₂ O (5:2:3) shows complete disappearance of the amine (R_(f) =0.35). The product has a R_(f) value of 0.65. The white product obtained is filtered, washed with 2×10 ml of water and dried to give 129 mg of product (95.5%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (d₆ -DMSO): 11.351 (5H, br, NH), 8.126 (1H, s, 6-H), 8.114 (1H, s, 6-H), 8.048 (1H, br, NH), 7.667 (2H, br, NH), 7.543 (2H, br, 6-H), 7.479 (1H, s, 6-H), 7.39 (4H, d, J =5.6 Hz, trityl-H), 7.259 (4H, m, trityl-H), 7.154 (2H, d, J=5.6 Hz, trityl-H), 6.81 (2H, d, J=6.8 Hz, trityl-H), 6.68 (2H, d, J=5.6 Hz, trityl-H), 6.16 (5H, m, 1'-H), 4.707 (3H, m), 4.19-3.82 (12H, m), 3.70 (3H, OMe), 3.684 (2H, s), 3.567 (2H, br), 2.998 (5H, s), 2.372 (SH, m), 2.139 (5H, m), 1.9 (1H, s), 1.807 (6H, s, Me), 1.79 (3H, s, Me), 1.759 (3H, s, Me), 1.705 (3H, s, Me). δ¹³ C (d6-DMSO-125 MHz): 182.684, 172.218, 170.048, 163.767, 157.420, 154.863, 150.690, 150.530, 150.483, 149.631, 146.273, 137.771, 137.581, 137.042, 136.117, 135.997, 135.895, 129.650, 128.303, 127.742, 126.125, 123.959, 113.049, 110.001, 109.950, 109.564, 107.682, 106.786, 84.439, 83.612, 83.077, 82.672, 82.268, 81.675, 80.746, 79.210, 74.570, 71.286, 69.725, 55.395, 54.983, 54.142, 46.801, 44.784, 38.936, 38.306, 36.780, 36.343, 35.258, 21.198, 20.867, 12.499, 12.313, 12.233, 12.193. IR (KBr pellet): 3464 (O--H), 3288, 3228 (N--H), 3060 (Aromatic C--H), 2943 (Aliphatic C--H), 1689 (C═O), 1542, 1455, 1266, 1063. m/z : FAB, 1643 (M+H)+. Analysis: Calculated (C- 54.1%, H- 5.3%), Found (C- 53.96%, H- 5.17%).

Synthesis of 5'-NH3+-TtT-3'-OH (Compound 10a)

To a solution of 120 mg (0.150 mmole) of 5'-N-MmTr-TtT-3'-OH (Compound 9a) in 20 ml of chloroform was added 10 ml of acetic acid. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 hr. TLC analysis in BuOH:CH₃ COOH:H₂ O (5:2:3) shows complete disappearance of the starting material (R_(f) =0.8) The product has a R_(f) value of 0.4. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 100 ml of diethyl ether. The white precipitate obtained was centrifuged and washed with diethyl ether and dichloromethane to give 75 mg of dry product (94.9%). ¹ H NMR-400 MHz (d₄ -MeOD): δ7.350 (1H, s, NH), 7.331 (1H, s, NH), 7.081 (2H, d, J=1.2 Hz, 6-H), 6.063 (1H, t, J=7.2 Hz, 1'-H), 5.955 (1H, t, J=6.4 Hz, 1'-H), 4.185 (2H, m, 3'-H), 3.88 (3H, m), 3.676 (3H, s, br, NH₃ ⁺), 3.368 (1H, d, J=3.2 Hz), 3.327 (1H, d, J=3.2 Hz), 3.157 (2H, m), 2.480 (1H, br, OH), 2.235 (1H, m), 2.105 (2H, m), 1.779 (3H, s, CH₃ CO₂ ⁻), 1.744 (3H, d, J=1.2 Hz, Me), 1.733 (3H, d, J=1.2 Hz, Me). δ¹³ C (d₄ - MeOD-125 MHz): 178.892, 166.405, 152.416, 152.340, 139.588, 138.245, 112.012, 111.944, 88.487, 86.796, 86.363, 82.676, 73.019, 56.519, 42.887, 39.905, 36.810, 23.276, 12.944, 12.648, 12.466. IR (KBr pellet): 3500-2700 (O--H, N--H+C--H), 2342, 1688 (C═O), 1545, 1459, 1267, 1060. m/z: FAB, 525 (M+H)⁺.

Synthesis of 5'-NH₃ ⁺ -TmtTmtT-3'-OH (Compound 11b)

To a solution of 7 mg (6.49 (mole) of 5'-N-MmTr-TtTtT-3'-OH in 3 ml of dimethylformamide was added 5 ml of ethanol and 20 ml of methyl iodide. The resulting solution was stirred at 40° C. for 5 hr. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 20 ml of acetic acid and stirred for another 2 hr. Acetic acid was then evaporated off and the glue like residue dissolved in methanol and precipitated with ether. The precipitate was collected by centrifugation and reprecipitated from methanol-ether to give 4.9 mg of a yellowish product. (84.4%). m/z: FAB 834.2 (M+H)⁺, Analysis: Calculated (C-48.8%, H-6.0%.), Found (C-48.5%, H-6.15%.), λmax=266.7 nm.

Synthesis of 5'-NH3+-TmtTmtTmtT-3'-OH (Compound 11c)

To a solution of 10 mg (7.35 μmole) of 5'-N-MmTr-TtTtTtT-3'-OH (Compound 9c) in 3 ml of dimethylformamide was added 5 ml of ethanol and 15 ml of methyl iodide. The resulting solution was stirred at 40° C. for 5 hr. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 20 ml of acetic acid and stirred for another 2 hr. Acetic acid was then evaporated off and the glue like residue dissolved in methanol and precipitated with ether. The precipitate was collected by centrifugation and reprecipitated from methanol-chloroform to give 8 mg of a yellowish product. (79.5%). m/z: (FAB)1129 (M+H)⁺, λmax=266.4 nm.

To extend the synthesis to the formation of polymeric dNmt, attempts were initially made to protect the 3'-hydroxyl with a base labile protecting group so that a) the 3'-5'chain extension could be carried out by deprotection of the acid labile trityl group, b) improve the solubility of monomer 8 and thioureas in organic solvents and c) eliminate any possibility of reaction between the 3'-hydroxyl and the 3'-isothiocyanate 7. Since initial attempts to carry out that transformation were unsuccessful, anhydrous pyridine was used as a solvent to couple 5'-amino deoxythymidine 8 with 5'-N-Mmtrityl-3'-isothiocyanate dideoxythymidine. The reaction proceeds to completion in few hours and the 3'-OH has no reactivity with the isothiocyanate. The lack of a protecting group at the 3'-OH was useful because of the ease in purification of polymeric thioureas that resulted from it. While 5'-N-tritylated thioureas are soluble in some organic solvents, the detritylated amines are easily precipitated on addition of chloroform or ether simplifying the complete purification process as described above.

Synthesis of 5'-NH3+-TmtTmtTmtTmtT-3'-OH (Compound 11d)

The synthesis of compound 11d was then accomplished via a cyclic process starting with a condensation reaction between 3'-isothiocyanate-5'-N-Mmtrityl-3', 5'-deoxythymidine (compound 7) and 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine (compound 8), affording the 3'→5' thiourea-linked dimer 9. The synthesis of compound 7 was carried out by protection of 5'-amino-3'-azido-3'5'-dideoxythymidine (Dempcy et al., (1994), supra and Dempey et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:6097 (1995), supra) with monomethoxytrityl chloride followed by hydrogenation of the azido group. The reaction of the resulting 3'-amino-5'-N-Mmtrityl-3', 5'-deoxythymidine with excess thiopyridone (Kim et al., J. Org. Chem. 51:2613 (1986)) at room temperature followed by flash chromatography gave compound 7 in 65% overall yield. Chain extension from the dimer followed a cyclic two-step process involving deprotection of the 5'-amino group with acetic acid.

The resulting amine was then allowed to condense, in near quantitative yields, with another equivalent of compound 7 in pyridine for 4-8 hr., depending upon the length of the oligomer. 4-Dimethylaminopyridne was added in 5-10% molar quantities to speed up the reaction. The thiourea-linked thymidyl oligomers compounds 10b-d were successfully converted to compounds 11b-d by methylation of the thiourea linkages to methylisothiouronium salts in excess methyl iodide. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature or heated at 40° C., if necessary. Excess heating for over 4 hours, however results in partial methylation of the 3'-OH. Deprotection of methylated polymers with acetic acid was followed by a purification on a preparative Alltech WCX cation exchange column employing 1.50 M ammonium acetate buffer, pH 6-7.0, as the mobile phase. The purity of the sample was further confirmed by passing it through an analytical cation exchange column with 1M guanidine HCl as the eluant. HPLC chromatograms of compounds 11b-d show that compounds 11b, 11c and 11d have retention times of 9.8, 14 and 18 minutes, respectively, consistent with the presence of three, four and five positive charges.

To a solution of 20 mg (0.012 mmole) of 5'-N-MmTr-TtTtTtTtT-3'-OH (compound 9d) in 3 ml of dimethylformamide was added 5 ml of ethanol and 20 ml of methyl iodide. The resulting solution was stirred at 40° C. for 5 hr. The solvents were then evaporated under pressure and to the resulting gel was added 20 ml of acetic acid and stirred for another 2 hr. Acetic acid was then evaporated off and the glue like residue dissolved in methanol and precipitated with ether. The precipitate was collected by centrifugation and reprecipitated from methanol-ether to give 19 mg of a yellowish product (90.47%). The product was then purified on a preparative Alltech WCX cation exchange column employing 1.50 M ammonium acetate buffer, pH 7.0, as the mobile phase. The purity of the sample was further confirmed by running it on an analytical cation exchange column with IM guanidine HCl as the eluant. The HPLC chromatogram of compound 11d has a retention time of 18 minutes, consistent with the presence of 5 positive charges. IR (KBr pellet): 3275, 3239(N--H), 3060 (Aromatic C--H), 2948 (Aliphatic C--H), 1690 (C═O), 1542, 1455, 1264, 1063. m/z: (FAB)1427 (M+H)⁺, (ESI): 1427.4 (M+H)⁺, 714.3 (M+2H)²⁺, λmax=266.7 nm.

EXAMPLE III

Equilibrium Complexes of Thymidyl DNmt with poly(adenylic) Nucleic Acids

This Example characterizes equilibrium complexes of pentameric Tmt with poly(adenylic) nucleic acids: poly(da) and poly(rA).

To investigate the interaction of compound 11d {5'-NH₃ ⁺ -T_(mt) -(T_(mt))₄ -OH} with polynucleotides, UV continuous variation plots were constructed at different ionic strengths (μ), wavelengths and temperatures. The method of continuous variation is based on the assumption that the decrease in absorbance is proportional to the number of base pairs hydrogen bonded between the interacting species. Mixtures of compound 11d with poly(rA) at 30° C. (FIG. 3) reached a minimum absorbance at a mole fraction of˜0.66 d(Tmt) to 0.34 r(Ap) (single phosphate-linked riboadenosyl unit). These numbers indicate that triple-stranded complexes are formed containing two d(Tmt) for every r(Ap). The same results are obtained at 202 and 280 nm. The absorbance change was much larger and the intersection of lines much easier to define at 202 nm. At 15° C. and 60° C. the plots (FIG. 10a and 10b) have a minima at 0.67 mole percent of d(Tmt) at all three wavelengths.

These results confirm the stable triple helical nature of the DNmt·RNA complex suggested by the lack of hyperchromic shifts in the thermal denaturation studies from 15 to 60° C.

The plot for compound 11d with poly(dA) at 30° C. is also centered near a mole fraction of 0.67 d(Tmt) to 0.33 d(Ap) (FIG. 3). Unlike the mixing curves with r(Ap), these curves are much shallower as the percent hypochromicity is much lower in binding to poly deoxynucleotides. Equilibrium complexes are the same from 30 to 60° C., and confirm the stable triple helical nature of the complexes that DNmt forms with polydeoxy adenosyl nucleotides.

Although these results establish that the three-stranded complexes d(Tmt)₂ r(Ap) and d(Tmt)₂ ·d(Ap) form under these conditions, they do not specify the composition of equimolar mixtures of d(Tmt) with r(Ap) and d(Ap). It is well-known that the formation of AT2 and AU2 complexes leads to a hypochromic shift at 280 nm, whereas formation of AT and AU complexes does not. Thus A:T is isochromic at this wavelength with respect to A+T, and mixing curves carried out at 280 nm show no hypochromism (Riley et al., J. Mol. Biol. 20:359 (1966)).

In particular, one cannot determine from these results whether two-stranded d(Tmt)·r(Ap) is present in equimolar mixtures, or whether the equilibrium products are always d(Tmt)·r(Ap)₂ and free rA polymer. Continuous variation experiments were carried out with the measurement of complete spectra of each of the different mixtures (FIG. 4) (Riley et al., supra). FIG. 4 shows that as more of d(Tmt) is being added (decreasing % of polyrA), there is a lowering of absorbance at almost all wavelengths.

Mixing curves with 0 to 50% Tmt are hypochromic at all wavelengths between 235 and 285 nm and curves at any wavelength, where a spectral change occurs, consist of two intersecting straight lines with a single minimum at 66% Tmt residues. The hypochromicity in wavelengths greater than 280 nm is more pronounced at 15° C. as opposed to 60° C. Since it is unlikely that d(Tmt)·rA has the same absorbency per nucleotide over this entire spectral range as the mixture rA+rA·d(Tmt)₂, a 1:1 complex does not exist in appreciable amounts in solutions under these experimental conditions. The sole complex is rA·d(Tmt)2.

From the titration scans (FIG. 4), there appear two isosbestic points for d(Tmt) and poly(rA) mixtures. The first occurs at 287.4 nm in 0 to 66% d(Tmt) mixtures (FIG. 5) due to an equivalence of extinction coefficients for rA and rA·d(Tmt)₂ ; the second occurs at 296 nm in 67 to 100% d(Tmt) and is due to an equivalence of extinction coefficients for d(Tmt) and rA·d(Tmt)₂.

EXAMPLE IV

Thermal Denaturation Studies

Annealing and melting curves of complexes formed from compound 11d {5'-NH₃ ⁺ -Tmt-(Tmt)₄ -OH} with DNA/RNA homo-oligomers exhibit hysteresis (FIG. 6) at the rate of heating-cooling employed (0.13 deg/min). Rates of heating and cooling of up to 0.5 , deg/min are generally slow enough to ensure attainment of the equilibrium in the case of duplex to coil transitions in oligonucleotides, i.e., heating and cooling curves coincide.

The melting and annealing behavior of DNmt complexes with poly(rA) and poly(da) was studied at different ionic strength (μ) at a rate of 0.13 deg/min. At low μ the hysteresis observed is abnormally large. Examination of FIG. 6a reveals the cause of this large hysteresis. The complex rA·d(Tmt)₂ continues to melt after reaching the terminal temperature of 95° C., this leads to an initial apparent increase in absorbance as the temperature descent begins, thus causing the abnormally large hysteresis curve.

With an increase in μ (FIG. 6b, 6c) annealing becomes slower. Denaturation studies at high μ show larger hysteresis because the positive and negative charges are attenuated by added salt. As stated previously, the large hysteresis at lower μ can be attributed to the limitation of melting points measurement to 100° C. This behavior is clarified on studying the melting behavior (FIG. 6d) of d(Tmt)₅ with dA-20 (a DNA sequence containing 20 adenosine bases). As shown in FIG. 6d, the complex shows an ideal hysteresis curve as the triplex melting is now well below 90° C. and the hysteresis observed at low μ is an accurate indication of the melting and annealing processes of dNmt with polynucleotides. In support of these observations is the fact that after thermal melting in a solution containing 0.03 M KCl, reformation of the d(Tmt)₂ poly(DA) complex is very slow. The melting mixture does not return to its original absorbency even after standing for 36 hr. at room temperature. The return to original absorbency is even slower at higher ionic strengths. There is a μ above which the melting transitions for compound 11d complexes with poly(rA) and poly (dA) cannot be observed, or are too shallow to be accurate representations of a melting point. Increasing the concentrations of the respective strands does however show better transitions at these ionic strengths.

EXAMPLE V

Fidelity in Binding to Polynucleotides

In the thermal denaturation analysis of compound 11d {5'-NH₃ ⁺ -T_(mt) (T_(mt))₄ -OH} bound to poly(da) (FIG. 7a), plots of absorbance at 260 nm (A₂₆₀) vs. temperature exhibit two distinct inflections (T_(m) =35° C. and 65° C., μ=0.3) . The inflection points in FIG. 7a are assigned to represent denaturation curves of triple- and double-helical structures of compound 11d with ssDNA {11d₂ ·poly(dA)} and {11d·poly(dA)}. FIG. 7a also indicates that under identical conditions, for solutions which contained compound 11d and either poly(dG), poly(dC), or poly(dT) no hyperchromic shift at 260 nm was observed between ca. 5-93° C. However, in the thermal denaturation analysis of compound 11d bound to poly(rA) (FIG. 7b), plots of A₂₆₀ vs. temperature exhibit only one inflection (T_(m) =65° C. at μ=0.15 and T_(m) =85° C. at μ=0.03), representing the melting points of the triple-helical structure {11d₂ ·poly(rA)}. As observed with polydeoxynucleotides, no hyperchromic shift at 260 nm was observed between ca. 5-93° C. for solutions which contained compound 11d and either poly(rG) or poly(rC). There was a hyperchromic shift at <10° C. for the denaturation of poly(rU) annealed to itself. (Browne et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:7051-7055 (1995), supra. From these results, dNmt appears to bind with DNA and RNA with specificity in forming hybrid duplex and triplex structures. Equation 1 (FIG. 13) depicts the annealing process (triplex formation). Rates of formation of triplexes are generally slower than those of duplex formation (k₂ <k₁). For example, in studies with RNA·RNA complexes, triplex association rates have been found to be 100 times slower than the duplex association rates. (Porshke, J. Mol. Biol. 30:291 (1971)). Electrostatic repulsions between negatively charged phosphates have been suggested as the determining factor in rates of association for RNA and DNA complexes. (Rougee et al., Biochemistry 31:9269 (1992)). These electrostatic repulsions become more important in the triplex than in the duplex because the third strand has to come in contact with the duplex that has twice the negative charge of a single strand. Similar rate effects would be expected with dnmt·DNA and dNmt·RNA complexes. The association of Tmt and Ap (eq 1-k₁) is expected to be fast due to attraction of the opposite charges of the backbones. Formation of triplex requires the attraction of a positively charged Tmt to a neutral duplex (Tmt·Ap) and thus is expected to be slower than the first step (k₂ <k₁). In the continuous variation plots (annealing-FIGS. 3 and 4), formation of the triplex as the major species at low temperatures is then due to the thermodynamic stability of the positively charged Tmt·Ap·Tmt complex over the neutral Ap·Tmt duplex. In melting the triplex below 95° C. one can observe an intermediate duplex at high μ (such that k₂ '>k₁ ' (equation 2, FIG. 13).

EXAMPLE VI

Effect of Ionic Strength (μ) on stability of dNmt·DNA/RNA complexes Compound 11d {5'-NH₃ ⁺ -T_(mt) -(Tmt)₄ -OH} has a significantly greater affinity for poly(da) and poly(rA) than does thymidyl DNA. As expected, a change in μ has an opposite effect on the T_(m) values of dNmt hybrids with DNA (FIG. 8) or RNA as compared to DNA complexes with DNA or RNA. This is due to electrostatic interactions being attenuated by increasing salt concentration. Thus, while DNA·RNA duplexes become more stable with increasing μ, DNmt·RNA complexes become more stable with decrease μ. This is in accord with previous experience with DNG·RNA complexes. The oppositely charged backbones of the dNmt·RNA complex provide stability. Increase in μ saturates the opposite charges and destabilizes the complex. At any given μ the d(Tmt)₂ ·RNA triplexes are more stable than the d(Tmt)₂ ·DNA triplexes.

The thermal denaturation results have been reduced to the unit of Tm per base pair in order to be able to compare Tm values for DNmt bound to RNA and DNA with results of others for DNA bound to modified nucleotides (FIG. 9). The plots of T_(m) /base pair of DNG·RNA duplex and DNG·RNA triplex (Dempcy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:6097 (1995); and Browne et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:7051-7055 (1995)) as a function of μ are also presented for comparison. While DNmt binds to poly(rA) and poly(da) over a wide range of ionic strengths, the binding is less strong than shown by DNG. The effect of increasing μ on the destabilization of dNmt·DNA and dNmt·RNA complexes is much more pronounced compared to DNA·RNA duplexes which become more stable with an increase in μ.

HPLC chromatography of compounds 11b-d indicates that these compounds have retention times of 9.8, 14 and 18 minutes respectively, consistent with the presence of 3, 4 and 5 positive charges.

The above results demonstrate the replacement of the phosphodiester linkages of DNA with ethyl or ether thiourea linkages, such as methylthiourea linkages, to provide the polycation deoxyribonucleic methylthiourea (DNmt). The thermal denaturation analysis of compound 11d {5'-NH₃ ⁺ -Tmt-(Tmt)₄ -OH} bound to Poly(rA) and Poly(dA) exhibits pronounced hysteresis. The DNG polycation-d(Tg)₄ -T-azido has been shown to bind to poly(da) and poly(rA) with unprecedented affinity and with base-pair specificity to provide both double and triple-stranded helices (Dempcy et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:7051-7055 (1995), supra; and Browne et al., supra). Positively charged dNmt, similarly has a significantly greater affinity for poly(da) and poly(rA) than does the DNA equivalent. The effect of ionic strength on melting is more pronounced with dNmt interacting with poly(A) and has an opposite effect as compared to DNA complexes with DNA or RNA. This is due to electrostatic interactions being attenuated by increasing salt concentrations. The T_(m) of the double helix of pentameric thymidyl DNA with poly(dA) at μ=0.12 is ca. 13° C., (Browne et al., supra) whereas the dNmt duplex with poly(da) is estimated to be greater than 80° C. At an ionic strength of 0.03, on the other hand, the five bases of dNmt are estimated to dissociate from a double helix with poly(rA) at >80° C.

A comparison with other positively charged oligonucleotides-ethylmorpholino phosphoramidate (Tm/bp=2-3), aminomethyl phosphonate (Tm/bp=2-3) (Letsinger et al., supra), containing positively charged ammonium groups connected via an alkyl linkage (FIG. 1, S6) to the central phosphorus atom of the backbone) and DNG (guanido linked backbone, Tm/bp=15-25), shows that the melting temperatures for DNmt complexes are much higher than the morpholino or aminomethyl linked oligos. While not being bound by any particular theory, this suggests that like DNG, dNmt maintains its positive charge in proper alignment to maximize its interaction with the backbone of the negatively charged phosphates of the opposite strand.

On comparison with DNG, the dNmt complexes are found to melt at a lower temperature (FIG. 9). The fact that dNmts bind less tightly than the guanido compounds (DNGs), provides a measure of the strength of control of binding with the cationic oligonucleotides. Specifically, at low μ, a five-mer of DNG does not come off poly(dA) in boiling water. Such strong electrostatic interactions would conceivably cause a loss of fidelity in binding for longer DNG sequences.

The presence of an alkylated positively charged thiourea in the dNXt compounds of the invention allows investigation of the balance between charge, hydrophobicity and fidelity, and determination of modifications that may be made to the compounds hydrophobicity and characteristics such as cellular uptake, to prepare improved therapeutic agents. Compounds derived from the dNXt compounds of the invention, wherein the methyl group has been replaced with other moieties, to investigate the cell permeability and diffusion properties of these compounds, should not alter the enhancement in binding as long as the positive charge rests on the backbone as opposed to the linkers that are tethered to it. The dNXt compounds can be modified to include other nucleobases (A, G, C, T or U). In addition, the chain length can be extended to increase the specificity and strength of binding, e.g. from 0 to 23 units in length. FIG. 14a and b depicts the structure of the dNXt compounds contemplated by the invention.

From these results, the following conclusions can be drawn about the novel dNXt compounds of the invention: (a) positive dNXts, such as Thymidyl dNmt, have much stronger affinity for DNA and RNA, due to electrostatic attractions, than DNA for RNA or vice versa; (b) Thymidyl dnmt is specific for its complementary tracts of adenine bases and does not interact with guanylic, cytidylic, or uridylic tracts; (c) the thermal stability of dNmt·RNA and dNmt·DNA structures is attenuated by increasing salt concentrations; (d) dNmt compounds form triple helical structures from 15-60° C. which are very stable under physiological ionic strength conditions; (e) dnmt compounds binding to poly(rA) is stronger than that to poly(dA); (f) dnmt oligonucleotides can be synthesized with relative ease; (g) have an achiral backbone linkage and (h) are expected to be stable to enzymatic hydrolysis due to the lack of a phosphodiester linkage. These compounds are the first example of a positively charged polynucleotide backbone incorporating a methyl isothiouronium salt.

The Thymidyl dNmt compounds of the invention are the first example of a positively charged polynucleotide backbone incorporating a methyl isothiouronium salt.

Various publications are cited herein that are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in which the invention is addressed, the present invention may be embodied in forms other than those specifically disclosed without departing from the spirit or potential characteristics of the invention. Particular embodiments of the present invention described above are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is as set forth in the appended claims and equivalents thereof, rather than being limited to the examples contained in the foregoing description. 

We claim:
 1. A nucleic acid comprising an oligonucleotide which has a backbone comprised of thiourea alkyl or alkoxy linkages consisting of from about 2 to 25 deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide bases.
 2. The nucleic acid of claim 1 comprising deoxyribonucleic alkyl or alkoxy thiourea.
 3. The nucleic acid of claim 1 comprising ribonucleic alkyl or alkoxy thiourea.
 4. The nucleic acid of claim 1 comprising the structure: ##STR2## Where B=A, G, C, T or U nucleobases;X=an alkyl or alkoxy moiety; n=0 to 23 deoxynucleic alkyl thiourea units.
 5. The nucleic acid of claim 4 comprising pentameric thymidyl deoxyribonucleic methylthiourea.
 6. A deoxyribonucleic alkyl thiourea.
 7. The deoxyribonucleic alkyl thiourea of claim 6 selected from the group consisting of thymidyl, adenyl, guanyl and uracil deoxyribonucleic alkyl thiourea.
 8. The deoxyribonucleic alkyl thiourea of claim 6, wherein the alkyl is a methyl moiety.
 9. A thymidyl deoxyribonucleic methylthiourea.
 10. A nucleic acid comprising the structure: ##STR3## Where B=A, G, C, T or U nucleobases;n=1 to 23 thiourea units.
 11. An oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence complementary to a selected nucleic acid sequence and comprising a backbone consisting of alkyl or alkoxy thiourea linkages.
 12. The oligonucleotide of claim 11 comprising the structure: ##STR4## Where B=A, G, C, T or U nucleobases;X=an alkyl or alkoxy moiety; n=0 to 23 deoxynucleic alkyl thiourea units. 